Long Covid linked to heavier periods and risk of iron deficiency

Long Covid linked to heavier periods and risk of iron deficiency

Briefly

"Women with long Covid are prone to longer, heavier periods, which could put them at greater risk of iron deficiency that exacerbates common symptoms of the condition, doctors say. The findings emerged from a UK survey of more than 12,000 women, which also found that the severity of long Covid symptoms rose and fell across the menstrual cycle and became worse when women had their periods. Preliminary tests revealed hormonal changes and excessive inflammation of the womb lining in women with long Covid,"

"The work points to a two-way effect, with long Covid affecting women's periods and hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle affecting the severity of long Covid symptoms. Our hope is that this will allow us to develop really specific treatments for women with long Covid who are suffering with menstrual disturbance, said Dr Jacqueline Maybin, a reader and honorary consultant gynaecologist at the University of Edinburgh. It may also lead to female-specific treatments for long Covid itself, which we know can be quite prevalent in women of reproductive age."

"An estimated 400 million people worldwide either have long Covid or have recovered from the condition. Nearly 2 million people in England alone self-report as living with long Covid, defined as symptoms that persist for at least four weeks after catching the virus. Doctors have recorded more than 200 long Covid symptoms, but the most common include fatigue, brain fog, difficulty breathing, digestive issues, headaches and changes to smell and taste."